1818 Trades Day

When

Where

Time

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

What

The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House is one of the historic homes of Edwardsville that was built by local tradesmen in the area for Col. Stephenson who was part of the signing of the state constitution. This event brings local craftsmen and women back to the Stephenson House to demonstrate period trades. We are bringing craftsman to the House to show how the early settlers of the state did crafts and made their mark on the territory and the early years after statehood. Tradesmen and women will demonstrate the following crafts: Spinning, Leather Work, Sewing, Chair Caning, Flax demonstration, Scherenscnitte, Gunsmithing, Basket Weaving, Felting, Hearth Cooking, Laundry, and Medicines. Since the Stephensons were prominent residents and close friends to many of the famous politicians and key figures of Illinois, we want to provide a program that displays knowledge about the state 200 years ago and communicate to visitors how the state operated in its early years with the Stephenson family and the Edwards family.

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